Asian American Political Activism Challenges Progressive Narratives on Race

On May 19, 2025, Kim Monson welcomed author Helen Raleigh to discuss her new book exploring Asian American political activism, followed by an in-depth conversation with Karen Levine and Lorne Levy about Colorado’s housing market and the impact of government regulations on affordability.

Asian American Civil Rights History Defies Progressive Narratives

Start listening at 29:11 – Hour 1

Helen Raleigh, senior contributor at The Federalist, exposes the offensive nature of the progressive term “white adjacent” used to describe Asian Americans. Born in communist China and now a proud American citizen, Raleigh argues this label robs Asian Americans of their agency and erases their significant contributions to civil rights history. Her new book, Not Outsiders: Asian Americans’ Political Activism from the 19th Century to Today, documents three distinct waves of political engagement spanning from railroad construction to modern Supreme Court challenges against affirmative action.

Raleigh traces landmark legal battles including the Wong Kim Ark case of 1893, where a Chinese American successfully challenged the Chinese Exclusion Act at the Supreme Court during the height of anti-Asian discrimination. She highlights how Japanese American internment during World War II prompted multiple constitutional challenges, with one female plaintiff eventually winning her case. The Korean American community’s response to the 1992 LA riots catalyzed increased political engagement, and today Asian Americans lead the pushback against DEI and critical race theory in education.

“So the attack against, the progressive attack against Asian Americans is really attack against America.”

Helen Raleigh, Senior Contributor, The Federalist

Colorado Housing Policy and Market Uncertainty

Start listening at 60:41 – Hour 2

Karen Levine, RE/MAX realtor with over 30 years of experience, reports that spring 2025 brings more housing inventory than Colorado has seen in a decade, yet buyer caution prevails amid economic uncertainty. While median prices remain stable or have increased, homes in the mid-$600,000 to low-$700,000 range face slower activity unless priced competitively and well-updated. Properties at the $500,000 price point continue attracting multiple offers.

Governor Polis’s recent executive order threatening to withhold state grants from cities that don’t comply with state housing policies drew sharp criticism. The order would require denser housing near transit and eliminate parking minimums. Levine notes that some municipalities like Lakewood are considering limiting square footage on single-family homes in response to state mandates against occupancy limits, raising questions about whether market forces should drive such decisions.

“Rolling back some government would be super helpful in the housing market.”

Karen Levine, RE/MAX Realtor

Mortgage Market Realities and Builder Financing

Start listening at 60:45 – Hour 2

Lorne Levy, mortgage specialist with Polygon Financial Group, explains why independent mortgage professionals cannot compete with builder-affiliated lenders who can offer below-market rates subsidized by markups elsewhere in the transaction. One client discovered their builder contract locked them into a specific lender once drywall was up and mandated a $6,000 annual homeowner’s insurance policy, roughly double the market rate.

Levy contrasts his experience with different municipalities: Centennial provided inspectors within days while Arapahoe County required week-long waits. These delays compound construction loan interest costs, ultimately passed to buyers. Time wasted in permit processes represents a significant, often overlooked contributor to housing costs that no amount of density mandates will solve.

“These homes are more expensive to build, and builders aren’t going to build them to lose money.”

Lorne Levy, Mortgage Specialist, Polygon Financial Group